Ciro Manna "XY"

Country: Italy
Genre(s): Jazz-Rock, Fusion
Label: DV Mark
Format: digital
Release date: September 19, 2015
Tracklist: 
01. X1 (4:15)
02. X2 (4:53)
03. X3 (5:03)
04. Fear & Fire (5:10)
05. Mosaiko Rock (4:39)
06. Drivin’ On (4:51)
07. Bad Brakes (4:57)
08. Secret Potion (4:56)
09. XY (5:33)
10. Wheels On Fire (4:58)
11. Just In Time (5:57)~ Bonus

Line-up: 
Ciro Manna – Guitar
     With
Leland Sklar – Bass (1,2,3,5,7,10)
Simon Phillips – Drums (1,2,3,5,7,10)
Guthrie Govan – Guitar (8)
Andy Timmons – Guitar (2)
Paul Gilbert – Guitar (10)
Antonio Muto – Drums (4,6,8,9,11)
Marco Galiero – Bass (4,6,8,9,11)
Angelo Abate – Keyboards (1,2,3,4,5,11)
Ilaria Palmieri – Vocals (4) & Lyrics (4,8)
Patrix Duenas – Vocals (8)
Dario Deidda – Bass (11)

Description/Reviews: 

And there is variety too, as can be found in Mosaiko Rock, a fantastic fusion workout, again featuring Sklar and Phillips with Abate’s keyboards. Trio track Bad Brakes is a blast and the addition of Paul Gilbert on Wheels On Fire is incendiary with some great duelling in probably the most guitar heavy outing on the album. Elsewhere, the long experience of playing with the rhythm section of his live band comes through in a smoking Drivin’ On and the soaring title track, a “live” feel to all of the recordings making the musicians sound fully involved and playing off each other. The bonus track, Just In Time, stands slightly apart with some great keys from Abate and a jazzy style with Galiero subbed for bassist Dario Deidda, a worthy way to finish.

Given the inclusion of so much guitar firepower in the guest list it would be easy to jump to the conclusion that this is a shredfest of over the top plank spanking wankery, but nothing could be further from the truth as the writing is very good with a melodic approach that serves the material well and enough professional discipline, as you would expect from those involved, to ensure that this is a quality release through and through. Also the two vocal tracks break up the instrumental thread of the album and both work well, the lovely voice of Ilaria Palmieri on Fear & Fire adding a new dimension with Manna choosing acoustic guitar in part, and Patrix Duenas gives a high energy performance of note on the aforementioned Secret Potion.

 Read the full review by Jez Rowden at theprogressiveaspect.net

Media/Samples 
Drivin' On

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